Often considered to be the precursor to biathlon, military patrol was one of the more unusual competitions of the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924.
In this event, teams from six countries competed in a 30-kilometer ski race combined with a shooting segment that involved balloons. The weather and some unforeseen illnesses made it tough for the competitors, but one did emerge victorious.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Olympics without some colorful characters, and from this competition that includes Vaino Bremmer, the Finnish officer who competed in modern pentathlon in the 1924 Summer Olympics and was known for his aviation exploits.
Sources:
olympics.com
https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/chamonix-1924/results/military-patrol/military-patrol-men
https://olympics.com/en/news/switzerland-land-military-patrol-gold
Olympedia
https://www.olympedia.org/results/1615
Inside the Games
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1118962/fact-of-the-day-mens-military-patrol
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